Ear Cleaning Device with Whisk-Like Bulbous Ends

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides for an ear cleaning device comprising an integral body, a central handle portion of the body to be gripped by the user, a first whisk-like bulbous end integral with the central handle portion. The first whisk-like bulbous end is used for removing ear wax at one end of the body by application of a whisk-like or sweeping movement of the first whisk-like bulbous end to an outer ear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/257,012, filed on Nov. 18, 2015, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is related to a flexible, disposable, earcleaning device which is used to effectively remove debris and/or waxfrom the ears of a user, and in particular used in cleaning ears of ahuman.

BACKGROUND

The most commonly used ear canal hygiene method known in the art todayis a cotton swab such as Q-tips® cotton swabs. The swabs typically aidin the removal of water and some particulates from the ear, but aregenerally limited in effectively removing ear wax and excess ear debristhat may accumulate in a human. Ear wax and any other ear debris can beshifted or lodged further towards the inner ear canal rather thanremoved. In addition, it may become even more difficult to clean the earas the buildup may shift towards the inner ear and in effect, may resultin inner ear infections and/or irritation that could lead to earinfections. Such shifts in wax buildup may also contribute to vertigoconditions.

There is also the problem with known ear cleaning tools such as Q-tips®or other cleaning tools, in that the application to the ear of suchcleaning tools is known to strip the ear of wax. The ear canal in mostindividuals generally produces wax in order to water proof the earcanal, and prevent water from entering further into the inner portionsof the ear. Otherwise, the removal of wax in such manner would allow thewater to remain in the ear, which is known to contribute to problemssuch as temporary hearing loss, discomfort, vertigo conditions, and/orinfections of the ear.

In addition, the wax in a person's ear is also known to act as a naturalantibiotic and/or have anti-fungal properties being naturally acidic andin effect, the wax naturally prevents infections. Another known problemis that at the end of the ear canal lies the ear drum. The ear drum isnear enough to the outside portion of the ear that inserting known earcleaning tools may potentially reach or inadvertently push wax and/ordebris in the inner canal and/or closer to the ear drum which isconsidered a very delicate part of the ear. Pressing on the little bonesunderlying, such as the hammer, anvil and the stirrup, locatedunderneath the ear drum, sends shock waves into the inner ear which isresponsible for hearing and balance. Therefore, merely tapping on theeardrum, may cause problems that could affect both a user's hearing andbalance among other possible complications.

A small amount of trauma to one's ear by use of for example, a Q-tip® orother cleaning tool can cause for example, benign paroxysmal positionalvertigo. In addition, an acutely blocked ear may not clear so easily andmay even be considered an untreatable emergency since there is a shorttime window within which one can treat the ear and/or determine whetheran underlying serious condition that could impact hearing exists. Evensudden deafness can occur and may not be distinguishable from atemporary blocked ear, for example, an ear canal that is temporarilyblocked by shifting the wax built up into the ear canal, which is knownto diminish one's hearing temporarily.

Certain known stopper type ear cleaning devices including a loop curettewax extractor and a safety stopper is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,509,921, 5,888,199, 5,334,212 and 5,715,850. The problem with such adevice is that it is non-disposable and more costly at the outset. Inaddition, such an ear cleaning device is required to be cleaned. As aresult, there remains the danger of ineffective cleaning and/orsubsequent scratching or scrapes to the skin, with such use of deviceswhich can lead to infection. Additionally, the consumers are accustomedto having inexpensive, disposable instruments for which they pay a smallprice, rather than an expensive implement for cleaning their ears,which, in turn, has to be cleaned and maintained for proper and safeuse.

Another known device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,276. The use ofa cotton swab for cleaning the auditory canal is disclosed. The cottonswab is removed and then discarded from the ear cleaning device. The earcleaning device is intended to be reused. The consumer is expected towrap and secure a cotton swab around the spiral hatch pattern on the oneend of the handle portion of the ear wax remover. An extraction head onthis ear wax remover comprises three similarly shaped projectionsextending radially outward from a shank. Each projection has the shapeof a frustum of a cone. That is, the extraction head comprises threefrustum cone shapes portions on the tip of the device. Thus, the ear waxremover tool is to be used repeatedly with subsequent swab attachmentsafter each usage.

Another known device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,745. Thisparticular device is an ear cleaning device with an integral bulbousend. It includes openings at one end for scraping wax and debris and adistal end with plastic or cotton. The device also may similarlycontribute to injury and/or infection of the ear as describedhereinabove for the Q-tip ® as the ear drum is considered a verydelicate part of the ear and the bulbous ends (whether spoon like or abulbous end with ridges) may also be inserted improperly by the consumerduring removal of ear wax and/or debris.

Thus, there is a need for a new and improved ear wax cleaning device,which is small, light-weight, readily disposable and has a safer andmore effective ear wax cleaning head, which is not in the form of acurette, or an integral scraper end, but which is made with whisk-likedelicate flexible material to gently whisk away ear wax and/or debriswithout stripping the ear of all the wax which could lead to theabove-described problems.

In order to overcome some of the disadvantages of known tools or devicesfor cleaning ears, there is a need is a need for a new and improved earcleaning device, which is small, light-weight, readily disposable andprovides a safer and effective ear cleaning end, which is not in theform of a curette, a scraper or spoon-like shape, but which is insteadmade with lightweight, flexible, balloon-like whisk end(s) including aseries of whisk-like extensions that are joined at one or both ends ofthe device handle. Each whisk-like end is used to gently whisk away atop layer portion of collected ear wax and/or debris from ears of ahuman.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent from the followingdetailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings aredesigned as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limitsof this disclosure.

The present disclosure provides for an ear cleaning device comprising anintegral body, a central handle portion of the body to be gripped by theuser, a first whisk-like bulbous end integral with the central handleportion. The first whisk-like bulbous end is used for removing ear waxand/or debris by application of a whisk-like sweeping or whisk-likemovement of the first whisk-like bulbous end to an outer ear.

In yet a further embodiment, the ear cleaning device further comprises asecond whisk-like bulbous end integral with a second end of the centralhandle portion. In yet a further embodiment, disclosed is the earcleaning device in which the first whisk-like bulbous end furtherincludes multiple whisk-like loops that are integral with a first end ofthe central handle portion. In yet a further embodiment, the earcleaning device further includes second whisk-like bulbous endcomprising multiple whisk-like loops that are integral with a second endof the central handle portion. In yet a further disclosed embodiment, isan ear cleaning device in which the whisk-like loops are spaced apartsymmetrically prior to use.

In yet a further disclosed embodiment, the whisk-like loops are flexibleand moldable thereby conforming to the shape and size of the outer earof the user so as to be disposed of and retained within the outerportion of the ear thereby preventing insertion to an inner portion ofthe ear. In yet a further disclosed embodiment, the whisk-like loops areflexibly moldable thereby conforming to the shape and size of the outerear of the user. In yet a further disclosed embodiment, at least thefirst whisk-like bulbous end is made one or more of a low densitypolyethylene and a high density polyethylene.

In yet a further disclosed embodiment, the first whisk-like bulbous endis made of a soft flexible material comprising at least one of apolymer, polymeric material, silicon and plastic. In yet a furtherembodiment, the first whisk-like bulbous end of the ear cleaning deviceis made of a soft flexible material comprising at least one of apolymer, polymeric material, rubber, silicon polyethylene, and plastic.In yet a further embodiment, the first and second whisk-like bulbousends are made of a soft flexible material comprising at least one of apolymer, polymeric material, rubber, silicon, polyethylene, and plastic.In yet a further embodiment, the first and second whisk-like bulbousends are made of a soft flexible material that is hypoallergenic. In yeta further embodiment, the at least one whisk-like bulbous end is usedfor removal of other debris from the ear. It yet a further embodiment,at least one whisk-like bulbous end is flexible and moldable therebygently conforming to the shape and size of the ear of the user whenapplied to the outer ear. In yet a further embodiment, at least onewhisk-like bulbous end of the ear cleaning device is of a predetermineddiameter. In yet a further embodiment, the at least one whisk-likebulbous end is of a predetermined size. In yet a further embodiment, thefirst whisk-like bulbous end is of a first predetermined size and thesecond whisk-like bulbous end is of a second predetermined size. In yeta further embodiment, the first and second whisk-like bulbous ends areboth of a first predetermined size. In yet a further embodiment, thefirst whisk-like bulbous end includes multiple whisk-like loops that areexpandable when applied to the outer portion of the ear therebypreventing the device from being disposed beyond the outer portion ofthe ear.

Further disclosed is an ear cleaning device wherein the first whisk-likebulbous end includes multiple whisk-like loops that include groovesextending along the periphery of one or more of the whisk-like loops,the grooves thereby collecting an outer layer of at least one of wax anddebris during application of the whisk-like bulbous end to the outerear. In yet a further embodiment, the ear cleaning device the device isdisposable. In yet a further embodiment, the ear cleaning device is usedfor cleaning debris and/or ear wax from the outer ear of a human.

Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition ofthe limits of the claims or the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of an ear cleaning device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an ear cleaning device in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the whisk-like bulbous end shown inFIG. 2 illustrating the diameter thereof in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is an additional cross-sectional view of the whisk-like bulbousend shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the radius thereof in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the ear cleaning device asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 6 is a view of an ear canal of a human to illustrate the areas ofuse of the ear cleaning device in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

It is to be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated forsimplicity and clarity. Common but well-understood elements, which maybe useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment, are notnecessarily shown in order to facilitate a less hindered view of theillustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following sections describe exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that thedescribed embodiments of the present disclosure provided herein areillustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. All features disclosed in this description may be replacedby alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of themodifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope ofthe present disclosure as defined herein and equivalents thereto.

Throughout the description, where items are described as having,including, or comprising one or more specific components, or whereprocesses and methods are described as having, including, or comprisingone or more specific steps, it is contemplated that, additionally, thereare items of the present disclosure that consist essentially of, orconsist of, the one or more recited components, and that there areprocesses and methods according to the present disclosure that consistessentially of, or consist of, the one or more recited processing steps.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the ear cleaningdevice 10 comprises a main body portion 13 made of a lightweight,flexible material, for example, a flexible silicon or bendable plasticmaterial, any one or more a polymer, polymeric material, rubber, siliconand/or polyethylene, which is integral to and retains one or twowhisk-like bulbous ends 15, 16. The whisk-like bulbous ends 15, 16 areintegral with the body portion or handle 13. The whisk-like bulbous ends15, 16 are lightweight, flexible or bendable and include multiple loopextensions 14 that are joined at a first distal end 12 and a seconddistal end 11 of the ear cleaning device 10. The whisk-like ends 15, 16as shown in embodiment of FIG. 1 are disposed at the opposite end eachof a handle portion 13. The handle portion 13 extends between the firstbulbous end 15 and the second bulbous end 16 and in certain embodimentsthe ends 15, 16 are moldable to the shape and size of the user's earcanal at the time of use so as to prevent insertion into the inner earcanal and/or cause any shifting of accumulated wax and/or debris intothe inner ear canal which can impinge upon and cause damage to a user'sear drum 51 as shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with a disclosed embodiment of thepresent disclosure, the bulbous ends 15, 16 can each be inserted intothe outer ear 63 but, preventing any entrance into the ear canal 60.More particularly, the size of the bulbous ends 15, 16 are large enoughto prevent any insertion into the ear canal 60 as the user gently whisksthe outer ear portion 63 of accumulated wax and/or debris in a light,sweeping-like or whisk-like movement.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, shownis the handle portion 13 which has a diameter 20 for example, of 0.2 cmwhich is similar or same as the diameter at distal ends 11, 12 of thehandle portion 13 of the body portion 10. In addition, bulbous end 15may be larger in length 21 than opposing bulbous end 16 to accommodatedifferent sized outer ears 63 as shown in FIG. 6. The segment length 21of bulbous end 15 may be for example 2.3 cm which is longer than thesegment length 23 of 1.5 cm of end 16. It is noted that different sizesare used for the bulbous ends 15, 16 in order to prevent any unwantedentrance into the ear canal 60 of the user. The length of the segments21, 23 may range generally between 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm in length. Inaddition, the bulbous ends 15, 16 in certain embodiments, are flexibleand moldable to conform to the shape of the user's outer ear 63 so thecleaning device 10 can be inserted in a gentle whisk-like fashion yet,large enough in diameter for example diameter 31, as shown incross-section view FIG. 3 to prevent insertion into the inner ear 60.

In this regard, the bulbous ends 15, 16 of FIG. 1 or 2, are made incertain embodiments, of various sizes that are suitable for the size ofthe user and more notably, the size of the user's outer ear 63. Thebulbous ends 15, and 16 may be configured to have varying diameter sizesto accommodate different sized ears such as for example, that ofchildren and adult ears.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of bulbous ends 15, 16 as shown in FIG. 1or 2. The whisk-like loops, wire-like loops or extensions 32 are joinedat center point 33 in certain disclosed embodiments. The diameter 31 mayrange between for example, smaller sizes such as 0.5 cm to larger widthssuch as 2 cm, for more bulbous ends, 15, 16 having a wider girth orcircumference.

FIG. 4 also shows a cross-sectional view with a diameter 41, which incertain embodiments varies in length depending on the size and diameterof the bulbous end(s) 15, 16 as configured for the particular size ofthe outer ear portion 63 of the user thereby, preventing any disposal ofthe device 10 past the outer ear 63 towards the inner ear portion 60 andfurther, eliminating any potential impact or trauma to the ear drum 61of the user by preventing any shifting of wax and/or debris towards theear drum 61. In FIG. 4, the diameter 41 is a smaller size than thediameter shown in FIG. 3, and is illustrated to show, that the bulbousends, 15, 16 can vary in size to accommodate different sized ears.

It is noted that bulbous ends 15, 16 have smooth and rounded edgesmoldable to and thereby conforming to and defined by the overall shapeof the outer ear 63 of the user as shown in FIG. 6.

Turning to FIG. 5, shown is an enlarged view of a whisk-like bulbous end50 which includes an enlarged view of the whisk-like loops 14 that areintertwined and joined at end 52 at distal end 51 of the handle portionof the body 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In certain embodiments, thewhisk-like loops may be permanently secured or fused together at distalend 53 so that a central point forms for guiding the application of thewhisk-like bulbous 15 tip into the outer ear 63 as shown in FIG. 6thereby, preventing disposal of the device past the outer ear portion.The central point form at end 53, in certain embodiments, also forms oris configured to include a circular stopper-like feature that whileguiding the application of the moldable and flexible whisk-like orwire-like flexible loops 14 into the outer ear 63, acts as a circularstopper portion to prevent the whisk-like bulbous end 50 from beinginserted past the outer ear 63 into the inner ear canal 60. Suchstopper-like feature also may include grooves throughout to allow forcollection of wax and/or debris but, generally serves the purpose ofprevention of trauma to the ear and/or displacement of the accumulatedwax and/or debris in the outer ear towards the inner ear 60 and/or nearor towards the ear drum 61.

FIG. 6 shows the outer ear area 63 which in a disclosed embodiment, thebulbous end 50 of the ear cleaning device is applied to gently scrapeany debris or wax therefrom the skin surface of the area 63. Area 60shows the portion of the inner ear 60 for which the bulbous end 50 ofthe ear cleaning device 10 can not be inserted due to its bulbous shapewhich blocks access to the narrow pathway of the inner ear 60 and hence,preventing any inadvertent injury to the ear drum 61 and other portionsof the inner ear.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “embodiment”merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit thescope of this application to any single embodiment or inventive conceptif more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specificembodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should beappreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purposemay be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosureis intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of variousembodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and otherembodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 31 C.F.R. § 1.12(b), whichrequires an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Although specific example embodiments have been described, it will beevident that various modifications and changes may be made to theseembodiments without departing from the broader scope of the inventivesubject matter described herein. Accordingly, the specification anddrawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way ofillustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “embodiment”merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit thescope of this application to any single embodiment or inventive conceptif more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specificembodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should beappreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purposemay be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosureis intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of variousembodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and otherembodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate example embodiment.

Although preferred embodiments have been described herein with referenceto the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosureis not limited to those precise embodiments and that various otherchanges and modifications may be affected herein by one skilled in theart without departing from the scope or spirit of the embodiments, andthat it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications thatfall within the scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ear cleaning device comprising: an integralbody; a central handle portion of the body to be gripped by a user; anda first whisk-like bulbous end integral with the central handle portion,the first whisk-like bulbous end being used for removing ear wax ordebris by application of a whisk-like movement of the first whisk-likebulbous end to an outer ear.
 2. The ear cleaning device in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a second whisk-likebulbous end integral with a second end of the central handle portion. 3.The ear cleaning device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the firstwhisk-like bulbous end includes multiple whisk-like loops that areintegral with a first end of the central handle portion.
 4. The earcleaning device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the secondwhisk-like bulbous end includes multiple whisk-like loops that areintegral with a second end of the central handle portion.
 5. The earcleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the whisk-like loopsare spaced apart symmetrically prior to use.
 6. The ear cleaning devicein accordance with claim 3, wherein the whisk-like loops are flexiblymoldable thereby conforming to the shape and size of the outer ear ofthe user so as to be disposed of and retained within the outer portionof the ear thereby preventing insertion to an inner portion of the ear.7. The ear cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein thewhisk-like loops are flexibly moldable thereby conforming to the shapeand size of the outer ear of the user.
 8. The disposable ear cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least the first whisk-likebulbous end is made of a mixture of a low density polyethylene and ahigh density polyethylene.
 9. The disposable ear cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein at least the first whisk-like bulbousend is made of a flexible material.
 10. The ear cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the first whisk-like bulbous end ismade of a soft flexible material comprising at least one of a polymer,polymeric material rubber, silicon and plastic.
 11. The ear cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and secondwhisk-like bulbous ends are made of a soft flexible material comprisingat least one of a polymer, polymeric material, rubber, silicon andplastic.
 12. The ear cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe first and second whisk-like bulbous ends are made of a soft flexiblematerial that is hypoallergenic.
 13. The ear cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein at least one whisk-like bulbous end isused for removal of other debris from the ear.
 14. The ear cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one whisk-likebulbous end is flexibly moldable thereby gently conforming to the shapeand size of the ear of the user when applied to the outer ear.
 15. Theear cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least onewhisk-like bulbous end is of a predetermined diameter.
 16. The earcleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least onewhisk-like bulbous end is of a predetermined size.
 17. The ear cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first whisk-like bulbousend is of a first predetermined size and the second whisk-like bulbousend is of a second predetermined size.
 18. The ear cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second whisk-like bulbousends are both of a first predetermined size.
 19. The ear cleaning devicein accordance with claim 1, wherein the first whisk-like bulbous endincludes multiple whisk-like loops that are expandable when applied tothe outer portion of the ear thereby preventing the device from beingdisposed beyond the outer portion of the ear.
 20. The ear cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first whisk-like bulbousend includes multiple whisk-like loops that include grooves extendingalong the periphery of one or more of the whisk-like loops, the groovesthereby collecting an outer layer of at least one of wax and debrisduring application of the whisk-like bulbous end to the outer ear. 21.The ear cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deviceis further disposable.
 22. The ear cleaning device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the ear cleaning device is used for removing debris andwax from the outer ear.